Take a slice of art with your afternoon tea this summer

A delicious afternoon tea in a wonderful hotel is one of the best – and most British – ways to while away a few hours. But now you can add an extra dimension with these amazing offerings from some of the best Small Luxury Hotels of the World, bringing some creativity to proceedings.

It’s All in the Game at St James’s Hotel, London

St James’s Hotel has paired together two classic British past times to create It’s All in the Game, their board game-inspired afternoon tea. Highlights of the intricately crafted tea include miniature dulcey chocolate chess pieces stood on a shortbread chessboard, dark chocolate monopoly counters filled with a blood orange mousse and gluten-free Battenberg dice. The best part is that all of the games featured in the afternoon tea are available to play, making it a great way to spend a relaxing afternoon. Alongside the creative dishes available in the restaurant, art plays a central role throughout St James’s Hotel, its in-house gallery, The Left Gallery, regularly houses exhibitions from artists renowned across the globe.  It is available everyday from 3pm to 5pm from £40. A one-night stay at St James’s Hotel costs from £295 per room (two sharing) on a room-only/B&B basis. Book by visiting www.slh.com/stjameshotel or calling 0800 0482 314.

Great British Afternoon Tea at The Capital, London

The Capital honours the traditional afternoon tea with its Great British Afternoon Tea. This indulgent afternoon tea was designed by two great British chefs, Nathan Outlaw and Will Torrent, and plays on the pairs love for Great British Food, featuring afternoon tea favourites such as Victoria sponge, Bakewell tart and crumpets alongside scones and homemade jams. The Capital’s head chef Tom Brown and pastry chef Clive Outlaw (Nathan’s dad) design the hotel’s usual afternoon tea menus. The Great British Afternoon Tea is available daily from 2pm to 5.30pm and costs £29.50. Pair with a glass of Champagne or a signature tea-infused cocktail for an extra £10. A one-night stay at The Capital costs from £246 per room (two sharing) on a room-only/B&B basis Book by visiting www.slh.com/capitalhotel  or calling 0800 0482 314.

Afternoon Tea Spread at Dormy House, Cotswolds

Dormy House has launched a new afternoon tea spread in The Garden Room restaurant. Guests and visitors are invited to tuck into one of the finest afternoon tea spreads in the Cotswolds. The English afternoon tea with a twist offers an enticing platter of freshly made sandwiches, quiches, fancy cakes and scones slathered in cream and jam, together with a broad selection of fine teas from traditional English breakfast to spectacular flowering osmanthus. Guests can add a touch of sparkle with a glass of champagne or a special signature cocktail, and, those feeling extra-peckish, can order a plate of sausage rolls or cheese scones with smoked salmon and caviar. The Afternoon Tea costs from £22.50 per person. A one-night stay at Dormy House costs from £220 per room (two sharing) on a room-only/B&B basis Book by visiting www.slh.com/dormyhouse or calling 0800 0482 314.

English Afternoon Tea at The Grand Eastbourne, Eastbourne

The Grand Hotel Eastbourne serves up a traditional English afternoon tea daily in their Great Hall. With classic British sandwich fillings such as Coronation chicken, cream cheese and cucumber and freshly baked scones with clotted cream. On the last Sunday of every month, Shelley van Loen and the Palm Court Strings Orchestra play music from the 1920s in the elegant Great Hall, transporting guests back in time and allowing them to indulge their taste buds and their musical senses at once. A one-night stay at The Grand Eastbourne costs from £150 per room (two sharing) on a room-only/B&B basis. Book by visiting www.slh.com/grandeastbourne  or calling 0800 0482 314